Absco Solutions

Daniel Norton has over 26 years of experience in the security and fire safety industry.  Since joining Absco in 1989, Dan’s responsibilities have steadily escalated including roles managing field administration, system design, operations, training, and customer solutions; overseeing all phases of Absco’s projects from inception through final implementation.  His current role as President and Chief Technical Officer help him leverage his experience among all aspects of the company.

Dan’s expertise was invaluable in Absco obtaining certification as a CRZH Security and UUFX Fire Alarm UL Listed company.  He has been instrumental in designing and overseeing campus and organization-wide integrated security and life safety systems with government and university customers. 

Dan holds a NICET IV Fire Alarm Systems certification and Designer of Record for the city of Redmond, Washington.  He is also a certified Washington State Continuing Education Instructor, AD06 Administrator, and EL06 Electrician. Dan has been factory-trained for many systems including Identiv, CWSI, and Gamewell-FCI systems.  Dan’s expertise and vast knowledge of codes and design requirements enable Absco to be at the forefront of the life-safety and security industry.

Erick Slabaugh is CEO and majority stockholder of Absco Solutions, a life-safety and security integration company, and of sibling company FCP Insight, a software-as-a-service ERP system for specialty contractors.  Erick has more than 30 years with Absco and more than 20 years’ experience as CEO.  He holds a National Independent Certification of Engineering Technologies (NICET) IV rating in Fire Protection Systems-Fire Alarms.  Some of the projects he actively supervised include the strategic upgrade of the voice-evacuation fire alarm system at the Marriott Hotel in SeaTac, and the phased implementation of networked fire alarm systems throughout the campus of Bastyr University. 

Erick has been a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO, formerly YEO) since 1997.  He attended the three-year YEO-MIT-Inc. Magazine, “Birthing of Giants” program, class of 2002. He also chaired the highly successful 2001 YEO International University in Seattle and the EO’s 20th anniversary event in Las Vegas; and was one of the Vice-Chairs of the Istanbul University in 2012.  Erick is a past EO Global Board member, and chaired the inaugural class and first four years of the EO’s Leadership Academy.  He received the EO’s Volunteer of the Year award for FY 2004-2005 & FY 2008-2009. The Seattle Chapter’s Volunteer of the Year award bears Erick’s name. 

 Erick is a Puget Sound Business Journal “40 under 40” recipient, and is a past board member of the alumni group, “The 40”.  He is an active member of Seattle Rotary #4 and served as the Vice President of Programs for the 2015-2016 program years.  He is a community affiliate of Seattle Navy League and past board member.  Erick is on the Board of Governors, executive committee and Business Alliance Committee of the Columbia Tower Club.  He served 3 years as the Vice-Chair for PACE program board at his children’s school, and has recently joined the Seafair Board of Directors.

Erick is married to Sarah, his lovely and energetic wife. They have two active boys, Erick-Jacob (EJ), born in November 2002, and Evan, born in October 2005.   

Sheila Millman is the Executive Vice President of Absco Solutions. In addition to this role she also fills the positon of VP of Administration.  Sheila joined Absco Solutions in 1999 and has risen through the company, holding a number of different positions, each with increasing responsibility. She also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer to the company and sits on board of one of Absco Solutions’ associate companies.

Sheila was born and raised in the Seattle/Normandy Park area. She is a University of Washington graduate in Speech/Communications with a Business minor. She has additional studies in Human Relations and Business Management.

Her career includes 30 years in the commercial sector including Absco Solutions and such companies as Sur La Table, a retail and catalog gourmet kitchen store and Data I/O, a custom engineering programming software company.  She has experience in a wide variety of business activities including: management and creation of all aspects of corporate administrative policies and duties; accounting; contract management; inventory management; managing order processing and purchasing departments;  foreign order and shipping management;  all aspects of accounts receivable and payable, collections; and all human resource activities and benefits management.  She has assisted in several database and computer software system conversions, software sales and customer update management.  Sheila has been and continues to be an integral part of Absco’s success. 

Tom Whitaker has over 20 years of experience in the fire and security industry, with an emphasis on strategic planning and project management.  He is currently the Director of Sales for Absco Solutions, and brings with him a host of industry knowledge and proven success.  His primary responsibilities include: strategic development, business development, and regional expansion. 

Tom developed his leadership philosophy and proven track record of results through both his education at Oregon State University, and his teaching experience at the IBEW Training Center, in Portland. Tom holds several highly esteemed awards as a top performer from Honeywell (Presidents Club Winner – 2006, 2011 & 2013, and Regional Sales Manager of the Year 2006, 2010 and 2014), and continues to be influential on the various boards and committees that he participates in.

Tom holds a NICET IV certification in Fire Protection Engineering Technology - Fire Alarm Systems, and NICET I in Audio Systems. Some of the past certifications he has held include EST, Gamewell-FCI, NAPCO, Silent Knight, Pelco, DSC, Northern Computers, Avigilon and Lenel. Tom continues to expand his knowledge base in emerging technologies and master planning initiatives.

Chad Smith has over 17 years of sales and account management experience providing technology solutions in diverse industries. Before joining the Absco family he was the VP of Sales for intelliPaper, a newer company in Spokane that invented digital paper - which is paper that can communicate and interact with computers and mobile devices. He has a love for technology and a passion for helping people find the right solutions that solve the right problems. When you work with Chad you will be working with a knowledgeable resource who will spend the time to fully understand your objectives and will work tirelessly to ensure those objectives are met on time and with the right long term solution!

Chad’s responsibility at Absco is to help develop and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships with customers in the Inland Northwest including Idaho and Montana.  Absco prides itself on the quality of people we hire and we are excited to have Chad representing us.

Dlo L. Sykes has over 20 years of experience in the fire and security industry, with an emphasis on security risk mitigation, strategic planning, design, program development and account management.  She is currently a Senior Account Executive for Absco Solutions and brings with her a host of industry knowledge and proven success.  Her primary responsibilities include: strategic account development and management.

Dlo’s educational background includes a BFA in Interior and Architectural Design with studies in the US and Europe which lends to a very creative, detailed and systematic approach to developing solutions. She has worked with clients whose footprints are local, national and international in the areas of Commercial and Industrial, Technology, Retail, Property Management, Government, Education, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Data Centers and Transit providing stand alone and integrated solutions and programs for fire alarm and mass notification systems, surveillance, access control, intrusion alarm and EAS systems. 

She participates in and supports ASIS and Women in Security.

Liz Abolafia has worked with Absco Solutions since 2015. She started out working in the retail industry where she stayed dedicated for eight years giving vast product knowledge as well as fantastic customer service to everyone who came her way. While transferring out of retail to seek an office setting job, Absco Solutions was in need of someone with a creative mind.

Liz has taken on projects large and small from organizing company marketing events, creating marketing materials, maintaining company branding, to planning company activities and lending a hand to our administration and field departments. She brings an artistic dynamic to the company which has had a visible impact she has designed throughout our offices. 

Michael Brock-Alexander has over 25 years of sales experience and is a new to the Security industry.

Michael was the NW Regional Account Executive for CORT Event Furnishings for the past 13 years prior to coming to Absco.  He was responsible for the Pacific Northwest territory selling ‘Meeting and Event’ services to venues, hotels, meeting planners and corporate clients.  Michael handled Fortune 500 level clients like Microsoft and Nike, as well as local companies like the The Gates Foundation, MoPop and Columbia Hospitality.  At CORT Event Furnishings, Michael was always one of the top five producers in the entire company.  

Michael joined the Absco team in January 2018.  His primary responsibility at Absco is to develop and maintain long-term mutually beneficial partnerships with new and existing customers. 

Morgan has nearly 20 years of life-safety and security experience including practical application and installation.   Morgan has been with Absco Solutions since 1998. Initially working in operations, and rapidly moved into design and ultimately into a Senior Account Executive role.  As a Senior Account Executive for more than a decade with Absco Solutions Morgan participates in a wide range of customer care activities including: long term strategic planning of security and life-safety systems, customer budget development, system design and layout, RFP response development and estimating and proposal response activities.

Morgan is responsible for the care of some of Absco Solutions most tenured clients including: Nordstrom, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University and US Navy. He is also accountable for the care of many of Absco Solutions largest clients of most recent note: CenturyLink Field and Event Center.  Morgan enjoys the full support of the Absco Solutions Executive Leadership Team in fulfillment of customer expectations. He is an integral part of Absco Solutions’ process